Functionalized block composite and crystalline block composite compositions

Abstract

The invention provides functionalized block composites and crystalline block composites. In particular, the invention provides a functionalized olefin-based polymer formed from at least (A) and (B): (A) a crystalline block composite comprising: a block copolymer comprising a propylene-based crystalline block and crystalline ethylene-based block; a propylene-based crystalline polymer; and, a crystalline ethylene-based polymer; and (B) at least one functionalization agent or a functionalized olefin-based polymer formed from at least (A) and (B): (A) a crystalline block composite comprising: a block copolymer comprising a propylene-based crystalline block and crystalline ethylene-based block; a propylene-based crystalline polymer; and, a crystalline ethylene-based polymer; and (B) at least one functionalization agent.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A composition comprising an olefin-based polymer functionalized by grafting at least one functionalization agent to the olefin-based polymer, the olefin-based polymer comprising:
 (A) a crystalline block composite comprising:
 i) a block copolymer comprising a crystalline propylene-based block and a crystalline ethylene-based block; 
 ii) a crystalline propylene-based polymer; and, 
 iii) a crystalline ethylene-based polymer, 
 
 wherein the crystalline propylene-based block comprises greater than 90 mol % of polymerized propylene units and the crystalline ethylene-based block comprises greater than 90 mol % of polymerized ethylene units; and 
 wherein the crystalline block composite is polymerized in the presence of a chain shuttling agent. 
 
     
     
       2. The composition of  claim 1  wherein the functionalization agent is selected from silane, maleic anhydride, peroxide, and amine. 
     
     
       3. The composition of  claim 1  wherein the functionalization agent is a silane for grafting onto polymers in the crystalline block composite and having the formula CH 2 =CR—(COO) x (C n H 2n ) y SiR′ 3 , where R is a hydrogen atom or methyl group; x and y are 0 or 1, with the proviso that when x is 1, y is 1; n is an integer from 1 to 12 inclusive, and each R′ independently is an organic group. 
     
     
       4. The composition of  claim 1  wherein the functionalization agent is maleic anhydride for grafting onto polymers in the crystalline block composite. 
     
     
       5. The composition of  claim 1  wherein the functionalization agent is amine for grafting onto polymers in the crystalline block composite.